A new biography of Ophelia — full of hypotheses, written with tenderness, speculative yet plausible, placing at the forefront what in the renowned Hamlet remained only in the background.
Ophelia. An Object Study offers a bold and fresh reinterpretation of Hamlet, shifting the focus of the drama onto a character long marginalised. The performance begins where the classic tragedy usually ends: on a stage filled with remnants — costumes, fabrics, water, and props — from which a new story emerges. Through object theatre and metatheatrical dialogue, the creators draw attention to what is silent and often overlooked, crafting a world of meaning brought to life through different objects. Water, garments, and simple gestures become carriers of memory, violence, love, and power, revealing Ophelia as a strong, fully realised figure. The production balances poetic abstraction with the stark clarity of experience, merging subtlety with a critical reflection on history and drama hierarchies. Awarded the Prospero's Book for its intellectual depth and formal sophistication, Ophelia. An Object Study invites the audience to linger in thought long after the curtain falls.
The performance was created by the Kaczmarek / Pi Pa Piwosz / Romanowa collective.
Director: Ewa Kaczmarek
Playwright: Script by Ewa Kaczmarek, in collaboration with Patrycja Piwosz and Helena Romanova based on Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Performers: Olena Romanova, Ewa Kaczmarek
Stage and Costume Designer: Patrycja Pi Pa Piwosz
Lighting Designer: Wojciech Wiński
Composer and Sound Designer: Marta Knaflewska
The 2nd Hong Kong International Shakespeare Festival
Ophelia. An Object Study
13-14 June 2026 (Sat-Sun) 3PM & 8PM
Studio 1, Xiqu Centre, WestK | $350 (General admission)
"The 2nd HK International Shakespeare Festival" Package Discount (only available at URBTIX)
Each purchase of standard tickets for 2 different programmes (10% off)
Each purchase of standard tickets for 3 different programmes (15% off)
Each purchase of standard tickets for 4 or more different programmes (20% off)
"The 2nd Hong Kong International Shakespeare Festival" Package Discount is only applicable to the following programmes:
Hong Kong Cultural Centre Studio Theatre
- Othello by Tang Shu-wing Theatre Studio (5-10 June 2026)
WestK Freespace The Box
- Hamlet by Tibet Autonomous Region Drama Troupe (China) (12-13 June 2026)
- Hamlet by "Marin Sorescu" National Theatre of Craiova (Romania) (16-17 June 2026)
- Twelfth Night by National Theater Company of Korea (20-21 June 2026)
WestK Freespace The Room
- Shakespeare Dance Theatre (12-14 June 2026)
WestK Xiqu Centre Studio 1
- MACBETH solo (The UK) (10-11 June 2026)
- Ophelia. An Object Study (Poland) (13-14 June 2026)
- The Rape of Lucrece (The UK) (16-17 June 2026)
- Titus Andronicus 2.0 by Tang Shu-wing Theatre Studio (20-21 June 2026)
Local Full-time Students / Senior Citizens Aged 60 or Above / People with Disabilities & the Minder* / Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Recipients (50% off, with limited quota)
Principal Hotel Sponsor
Mondrian Hong Kong
Media Partners
art-mate.net
Star Ferry
Technical Partner
WestK Performing Arts
House rules
- Latecomers will not be admitted.
- General admission.
- Performed in Polish with Chinese and English surtitles.
- Suitable for ages 16 or above.
- The presenter reserves the right to change the programme and substitute artist(s) should unavoidable circumstances make it necessary.
- In case of any dispute, the presenter reserves the right of final decision.
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The 2nd Hong Kong International Shakespeare Festival is financially supported by the Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
The content of these programmes does not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
The views and opinions expressed in this project do not represent the stand of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council.
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